Ad-aware Tutorial

[tj416]

1. Download and Install Ad-Aware SE, keeping the default options. However, some of the settings will need to be changed before your first scan

2.Close ALL windows except Ad-Aware SE

3. Click on the‘world’ icon at the top right of the Ad-Aware SE window and let AdAware SE update the reference list for the adware and malware.

4. Once the update is finished click on the ‘Gear’ icon (second from the left at the top of the window) to access the preferences/settings window

1) In the ‘General’ window make sure the following are selected in green:

*Automatically save log-file

*Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal

*Safe Mode (always request confirmation)

Under Definitions:

*Prompt to udate outdated definitions - set the number of days

2) Click on the ‘Scanning’ button on the left and select in green :

Under Driver, Folders & Files:

*Scan Within Archives

Under Select drives & folders to scan -

*choose all hard drives

Under Memory & Registry: all green

*Scan Active Processes

*Scan Registry

*Deep Scan Registry

*Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s

*Scan my Hosts file

3) Click on the ‘Advanced’ button on the left and select in green:

Under Shell Integration:

*Move deleted files to recycle bin

Under Logfile Detail Level: (all green)

*include addtional object information

*DESELECT - include negligible objects information

*include environment information

Under Alternate Data Streams:

*Don't log streams smaller than 0 bytes

*Don't log ADS with the following names: CA_INOCULATEIT

4) Click the ‘Tweak’ button and select in green:

Under ‘Scanning Engine’:

*Unload recognized processes during scanning

*Scan registry for all users instead of current user only

Under ‘Cleaning Engine’:

*Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot

Under Log Files:

*Include basic Ad-aware SE settings in logfile

*Include additional Ad-aware SE settings in logfile

*Please do not check: Include Module list in logfile

5. Click on ‘Proceed’ to save the settings.

6. Click ‘Start’

*Choose:'Perform Full System Scan'

*DESELECT "Search for negligible risk entries", as negligible risk entries (MRU's) are not considered to be a threat.

7. Click ‘Next’ and Ad-Aware SE will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected and clean automatically.

8. If Ad-Aware SE finds bad entries, you will receive a list of what it found in the window right-click in that pane and choose "select all"

9. Save the log file when it asks and then click ‘finish’

10. REBOOT to complete the removal of what Ad-Aware SE found.